More surgery for OKC’s Westbrook

Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook will be out through the All-Star break following his third round of knee surgery in the past eight months, the Thunder announced Friday.

The arthroscopic procedure to reduce swelling in his right knee comes as the Thunder (23-5) trail Portland by half a game for the NBA’s best record. Westbrook led all players with 31 points as Oklahoma City beat the Spurs 113-100 on Dec. 21, improving to 2-0 in its season series with the Spurs.

Westbrook initially tore the right lateral meniscus during last season’s playoffs, an injury that helped pave the way to the Finals for the Spurs. He required additional surgery in October to remove a loose stitch from the original procedure.

Westbrook, 25, is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his sixth NBA season. The Thunder will play 27 games before the All-Star break, including tonight at Charlotte. He had been expected to miss up to the first six weeks of the regular season but returned after just two games.